Fast Forward Pride/Wickedness Cycle

Many generations pass by in the Jaredite record. The only thing really of note in this part of the record is that the people went back and forth between wickedness and righteousness quite drastically. Perhaps it stands out more because this chapter discusses so little of what happened, it just talks about each successive king of the Jaredites and how they ruled.

They went from being super wicked, like Riplakish:

"5 And it came to pass that Riplakish did not do that which was right in the sight of the Lord, for he did have many wives and concubines, and did lay that upon men’s shoulders which was grievous to be borne; yea, he did taxthem with heavy taxes; and with the taxes he did build many spacious buildings.
6 And he did erect him an exceedingly beautiful throne; and he did build many prisons, and whoso would not be subject unto taxes he did cast into prison; and whoso was not able to pay taxes he did cast into prison; and he did cause that they should labor continually for their support; and whoso refused to labor he did cause to be put to death." (Ether 10:5-6)

His actions and behaviors really affected the people. 

"And it came to pass that he did afflict the people with his whoredoms and abominations." (Ether 10:7)

That's pretty bad. So many of the people were basically in captivity.

A few generations later, Lib became king, and he was a righteous king, and the people were more free and they were industrious. They worked hard, and were righteous, which led to them prospering in the land. In fact, they were so prosperous, Moroni said this about them:

"And never could be a people more blessed than were they, and more prospered by the hand of the Lord. And they were in a land that was choice above all lands, for the Lord had spoken it." (Ether 10:28)

I mean, this was quite the disparity. Not more than a couple of generations later, there began to be the secret combinations again, and they were so prevalent that no matter how hard people fought, they didn't prevail against them.

I think this is kind of a neat way to review history. It is very quick, and it gives you insight that you wouldn't have. Almost like how you can't see a tree grow in real time, but you take a time lapse of that same tree and you can observe the drastic nature of the growth. 

This also happens to us in periods of our lives. If we are not being careful, we will slowly fall into that same trap of wickedness. We must take stock of our lives and actions, and make sure that every moment is spent trying to give us the best chance at success to be righteous and serve God. This is the way to make it back to Him after all.